Ever wondered how many U.S. Presidents had hooks for hands? Do you wish you had easy access to a list of 700 hobo names? NPR commentator John HodgmanEver wondered how many U.S. Presidents had hooks for hands? Do you wish you had easy access to a list of 700 hobo names? NPR commentator John Hodgman has, and he's written the funniest, silliest and possibly smartest reference book ever penned. Structured like an almanac that has nothing but contempt for almanacs, The Areas of my Expertise is a treat for anyone who has spent too much time in the reference section of their local library. Whether Hodgman is delivering a blistering commentary on the state of public libraries or a rant about the absurdity of the post-9/11 world, he never loses his laser-focus or his wit.

There's no review that could possibly do this book justice. Please, just look into it. I'm surprised this book hasn't started a war yet. I will say, tThere's no review that could possibly do this book justice. Please, just look into it. I'm surprised this book hasn't started a war yet. I will say, though, that precious few books in my entire life have afforded me as many hours of side-splitting laughter and completely comical contempt.

...because it's important to know who to avoid. Perhaps I just know one too many of these people, but I found this book to be both hilarious and inval...because it's important to know who to avoid. Perhaps I just know one too many of these people, but I found this book to be both hilarious and invaluable. I also found the descriptions of the various types of hipsters alarmingly on-target. Not only do I know one of each of them, I even know some that have been all of them at various stages. Truly, this book has helped me pigeonhole a lot of people I'd have otherwise wasted valuable waking thoughts on.

A very funny book. Vic Darkwood, formerly of Chap Magazine, takes us around the world and gives travel advice for the "Gentleman Adventurer". Advice iA very funny book. Vic Darkwood, formerly of Chap Magazine, takes us around the world and gives travel advice for the "Gentleman Adventurer". Advice includes commentary on why camels are uglier than people, how to engage in gun battles like a gentleman and advice on the use of fireplaces on boats. This is a dry, tongue-firmly-in-cheek collection for people who are possibly too poor to travel. Much of the advice in the book is culled from old (1700's or older) travel guides that may or may not be real. It also contains advice on how to communicate with locals all over the world. "Abroad", Darkwood suggests, "conversation need not necessarily be intellectual, or even intelligible, in order to be entertaining." It's a perfect guide for Americans traveling abroad in an era when Americans abroad aren't necessarily welcomed. Granted, the book assumes that if you go to another country, you'll inevitably wind up riding an elephant. Some may view this as proof that the book is a touch out-of-date. I, for one, however, think this is probably the most relevant travel book currently in print. Now go dig your sleeping ditch.

Genius. Amy Sedaris is one of the most beautiful people on the planet. Get this book, then go make your Fuck It Bucket. It's filled with crafts and reGenius. Amy Sedaris is one of the most beautiful people on the planet. Get this book, then go make your Fuck It Bucket. It's filled with crafts and recipes for depressed stoners. The book, not the Fuck It Bucket. Different story. Regardless, read this book. Good times.

Boller's "Presidential Campaigns" only covers campaigns up through the 1984 re-election of Ronald Reagan, but it's worth reading - for fans of AmericaBoller's "Presidential Campaigns" only covers campaigns up through the 1984 re-election of Ronald Reagan, but it's worth reading - for fans of American politics - for its anecdotes covering every campaign up through Reagan's last. At times funny, at other times somewhat depressing, it's a good history-in-a-bottle, not of America or her history, but strictly of her political campaigns. A very interesting read, especially as we gear up for another round of what Jon Stewart calls "The Clusterf*ck to the White House". This book proves that although the coverage may change, the action never does.

Kenneth C. Davis is a godsend for people who have forgotten most of the factual information they learned in High School, and a universal gift for thosKenneth C. Davis is a godsend for people who have forgotten most of the factual information they learned in High School, and a universal gift for those who never learned much to begin with. But they're also handy reference guides for people who do think they know it all. The "Don't Know Much..." series tends to include facts and controversial aspects not mentioned in high schools today. They're also written in a witty, intelligent, insightful prose that makes you feel like you're having fun reading about astrophysics or philosophy. Don't Know Much About History is no let-down. It lives up to the standards of the series, and reveals a world of knowledge you can thing launch off from into new territories.

I got this book for three dollars in the cheapo bin at Barnes & Noble. Why? Because I'm a huge X-Files fan, and Chris Carter has admitted using thI got this book for three dollars in the cheapo bin at Barnes & Noble. Why? Because I'm a huge X-Files fan, and Chris Carter has admitted using this book as a reference in writing the show. And it's all here. At least half the conspiracies in this book have shown up on a TV show or a movie, and they're presented here as simply and amusingly as possible. An excellent reference book for deconstructive X-Files fans, and a perfect cover-to-cover read for ultimate paranoiacs. Definitely worth the three dollars.

This is one of the funniest reference books I own. A little perverse, perhaps, but amusing. Not all of the schemes are applicable today, or even holdThis is one of the funniest reference books I own. A little perverse, perhaps, but amusing. Not all of the schemes are applicable today, or even hold up to time, but the few that do are nice little fantasies. All in all a rare and worthwhile reference guide.

Stop. Put down your phone. Don't call the library to ask how that toaster works. Check with this book first. Satiate your curiosity. Feel empowered. BStop. Put down your phone. Don't call the library to ask how that toaster works. Check with this book first. Satiate your curiosity. Feel empowered. Be amused at the witty illustrations. Breathe. Feel relaxed. Put down the phone.

As with most of the books in Kenneth C. Davis' Don't Know Much series, Don't Know Much About the Universe lays out all the things we may not have learAs with most of the books in Kenneth C. Davis' Don't Know Much series, Don't Know Much About the Universe lays out all the things we may not have learned in school, may have forgotten, may have changed since we were kids or just didn't make it into the curriculum. It's an excellent series, and this edition, that outlines everything from the discovery of the first planet to modern developments in quantum mechanics, lives up to the legacy of Davis' previous work. A witty, easy-to-read book that can be read cover to cover or randomly. A perfect reference guide.

Buzzed is a pretty remarkable book. Designed to cut the BS out of propaganda for and against drug use, Buzzed is essentially a reference book for allBuzzed is a pretty remarkable book. Designed to cut the BS out of propaganda for and against drug use, Buzzed is essentially a reference book for all psycho-active substances, legal or illegal, from caffeine to nicotine to ecstasy. It gives a breakdown of what damage is caused to the brain by excessive chocolate consumption, and it tells you why caffeine makes you feel so jumpy sometimes. It takes away a lot of the myths about some recreational, illegal drugs, but also gives frightening examples of what long-term use can do to the human brain and body. No more lies about marijuana leading teenagers to commit assaults, but plenty of scientific, understandable evidence about how abuse of ecstasy can lead to chronic, life-long depressive problems. In the one hand the book takes away the scare-mongering myths about drug experimentation, but they make clear the evidence for damages caused by chronic abuse of some drugs. In light of the clear-headed lack of scare tactics used in this book, the warnings have infinitely more merit than they do in any government-funded ad campaign on television. A very educational, helpful reference book for anyone who has ever known someone who likes to party too much some times.

John Keegan is one of the finest military historians of our time, and in The Second World War he does the unthinkable: he provides a picture-perfect,John Keegan is one of the finest military historians of our time, and in The Second World War he does the unthinkable: he provides a picture-perfect, concise history of WWII. This is an essential reference book on the topic, and one of the only textbooks to have on the matter.

There's not much to say about this book except that it is exactly what its title says it is. Howdunit: How Crimes are Committed and Solved is a wonderThere's not much to say about this book except that it is exactly what its title says it is. Howdunit: How Crimes are Committed and Solved is a wonderful reference book for anyone who has ever wanted to write about crime or ever just been curious. It explains all types of crimes from cons and scams to murders and serial killings then summarizes what a writer might need to know, and why it needs to be known. A wonderfully odd, usable reference tool for writers.

Norman Polmar's Spy Book: The Encyclopedia of Espionage is exactly what it sounds like. Arranged from A to Z, this wonderful reference book contains mNorman Polmar's Spy Book: The Encyclopedia of Espionage is exactly what it sounds like. Arranged from A to Z, this wonderful reference book contains more than 2000 entries covering all the basics of intelligence and spycraft. This is a wonderful reference tool for anyone reading, writing or just learning about espionage. The only catch is that it is somewhat out of date, and assuming you already know a lot about the CIA, you may find yourself noticing things completely absent from this encyclopedia. As well, obsessive readers of CIA & espionage history will note a decidedly one-sided view of the Golitsyn / Nosenko affair in this reference guide, which implies that the book's version of espionage history may also be one-sided.

The Mammoth Book of Oddballs and Eccentrics is exactly what it sounds like: an index of freaks, geeks, neurotics and crazies. It's not the easiest refThe Mammoth Book of Oddballs and Eccentrics is exactly what it sounds like: an index of freaks, geeks, neurotics and crazies. It's not the easiest reference book to navigate and it probably won't come in particularly handy to anyone for any rational reason, but it's still a fun read and certainly worth taking a look at. From eccentric inventors to celebrities and their phobias to hilarious, unique deathbed confessions, this book really does shine a light on how truly weird some of the most famous people in history have been.

This is probably my all-time favorite reference book. It taught me how to speak English the proper way. Meaning, it taught me to make sure I always meThis is probably my all-time favorite reference book. It taught me how to speak English the proper way. Meaning, it taught me to make sure I always meant something else. I wonder sometimes if Stephen Colbert doesn't keep a copy of this book in his desk drawer. Some gems: "POLITICS, n. The strife of interest masquerading as a contest of principles." "FRIENDLESS, adj. Having no favors to bestow. Destitute of fortune. Addicted to utterences of truth and common sense." "DIPLOMACY, n. The patriotic art of lying for one's country." "OBLIVION, n. Fame's eternal dumping ground." "PATRIOT, n. The dupe of statesmen and the tool of conquerors." "PHILOSOPHY, n. A route of many roads leading from nowhere to nothing." Amen.

"A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking." Geary's Guide to the World's Greatest Aphorists, by the aptly named James Geary, is the l"A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking." Geary's Guide to the World's Greatest Aphorists, by the aptly named James Geary, is the latest addition to my list of fun reference books. Many of the entries will be familiar, even if the original author isn't. Aphorisms are fun like that. I especially love it, though, for being the first quote book I've owned to include Steven Wright. (My favorite stand-up. "The sooner you fall behind, the more time you'll have to catch up.") There's the usual suspects in the Witty Quote Book line-up, of course. There's the classics from Dorothy Parker, like "I am a cynical bitch.", and of course George Bernard Shaw's greatest hits, like "I am secretly, painfully in love with Oscar Wilde." But you'll also discover new artists you've possibly never heard of, and maybe put a name to that quote about fairness and the law that your mother used to use on you when you were twelve. Geary gives a brief biography of each aphorist, and the groupings make a giggling bit of sense. A fun book.

Totem Books has a wonderful "Introducing" series that spans many political, artistic, critical, religious and philosophical movements and figures. TheTotem Books has a wonderful "Introducing" series that spans many political, artistic, critical, religious and philosophical movements and figures. They're essentially text books in the form of a graphic novel. Most people have heard the phrase "Machiavellian" yet know little about the man or his theories, and I include myself in that. The Introducing... series never fails as a good place to start. Introducing Machiavelli reveals that there was more to Machiavelli than a man who wrote handbooks for dictators, and reveals many ironies of his intent when contrasted with his subsequent influence. These books are great for those of us running out of time to read everything ever written.

It doesn't matter how old you are, at some point when you were young, you probably thought that when you were older, you'd have a personal jetpack, yoIt doesn't matter how old you are, at some point when you were young, you probably thought that when you were older, you'd have a personal jetpack, your own robot slave and you'd be able to have sex with a toaster that looks like mom. Or something. But those wonderful developments we were all promised never came to pass. Daniel H. Wilson wants to explain why. To that end, 'Where's my Jetpack' is a mixed bag of nuts. It tackles ideas from science fiction and reality, ideas that fifty years ago seemed like a forgone futuristic inevitability, and then tells us what the present state of research on each subject is. Teleportation, for example; he starts with Star Trek then tells us about old men in a labratory teleporting a photon of light in 1993. Etc, etc. It's a fun book, and revealing, but people interested in a deeper examination of stuff like this might look to The Physics of Star Trek by Lawrence Krauss. Where's My Jetpack is fun, you'll be able to read it in a day, and it doesn't hurt your head. But for what it is, and for how its presented, it is remarkably unfunny...

This book is like the Darwin Awards, only without all the death. This can be both a good thing and a bad thing. Ross and Kathryn Petras have publishedThis book is like the Darwin Awards, only without all the death. This can be both a good thing and a bad thing. Ross and Kathryn Petras have published several collections similar to The Lexicon of Stupidity. The 776 Stupidest Things Ever Said was quite honestly one of the most educational books I've ever read. The selections range from the absurdly bold ("Yes, I would defend Hitler. And I would win." - attorney Alan Dershowitz) to the surreal ("What would happen if you melted? You know, you never hear this talked about that much..." - Keanu Reeves) to the historically curious ("Even Napoleon had his Watergate." - Danny Ozark). The Lexicon of Stupidity also includes sections on strange things overheard at libraries ("Why were so many Civil War battles fought on National Park sites?"), dadalicious newspaper headlines ("Renewed Fighting Threatens Peace") and impractical things said during job interviews ("Would it be a problem if I'm angry most of the time?"). Unlike The 776 Stupidest Things Ever Said, however, this new collection has a broader selection of idiotic quotes and a wider scope of sources. It's much funnier for the adjustment. A hilarious collection.

I read most of this book in the bathroom. Quite sober. Hoping it would be funny. It made me sad and lonely. I'll keep it though. In case I have any reI read most of this book in the bathroom. Quite sober. Hoping it would be funny. It made me sad and lonely. I'll keep it though. In case I have any really boring people over one day.

"You don't take a sausage roll to a banquet." The previous sentence was spoken by Sir Winston Churchill, when asked why he hadn't brought his wife wit"You don't take a sausage roll to a banquet." The previous sentence was spoken by Sir Winston Churchill, when asked why he hadn't brought his wife with him on a trip to Paris. The 776 Nastiest Things Ever Said is filled with gems like this. For anyone looking for more vindictive, spiteful curmudgeons to admire and mimic, this is the ultimate reference book. It ranges in reference points from the shallowly brutal ("A bag of tattooed bones in a sequined slingshot." - fashion critic Mr. Blackwell, describing Cher) to handy advice on what to say to former lovers when you run into them years later ("I thought I told you to wait in the car." - Tallulah Bankhead). There are reminders of better times, like when presidents were honest ("I didn't fire MacArthur because he was a dumb son-of-a-bitch, although he was, but that's not against the law for generals. If it was, half to three-quarters of them would be in jail." - President Harry S. Truman). And even the artists behind some of the brilliantly cold verbal assaults in this book are targets of other wits themselves. "Winston Churchill would go up to his Creator and say he would very much like to meet his son, about whom he has heard a great deal." David Lloyd George was probably more acquainted with Sir Winston's ego than even Winston's wife. A wonderful collection.

This is quite possibly one of the best reference books ever. A perfectly essential book for all of us unlucky-in-love types. The only thing missing isThis is quite possibly one of the best reference books ever. A perfectly essential book for all of us unlucky-in-love types. The only thing missing is the "How to Spot a Jobless Psychopath" sequel. Oh, right. That's mine to write.